PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A tractor-trailer crash Friday morning killed the driver and created heavy delays on Interstate 95 southbound in St. Lucie County.
The deadly wreck occurred in Port St. Lucie just before the Crosstown Parkway exit 120 at 5:31 a.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the semi driver, 32-year-old Christopher Laser of Ocala, Florida, lost control for reasons unknown. The rig veered off of the paved travel lanes and drove onto the western grass shoulder.
The semi then collided with a support beam for an overhead exit sign. The tractor-trailer became fully engulfed with Laser becoming trapped inside of the vehicle.
Laser was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Lucie County Fire Department.
Chopper 5 flew over the area and spotted a substantial amount of debris strewn across the grassy area along the shoulder of the interstate.
All lanes are now back open.
95 SB Delays at St Lucie west Blvd Fatal Crash before Crosstown parkway involving a tractor trailer closing 95 at st Lucie west blvd also rolled over vehicle in the SB delays Take St Lucie west go to SW California blvd to SW savona blvd to Gatlin blvd to 95 SB pic.twitter.com/9mCoYzVDv0
— Johann Hoffend (@Chopper5WPTV) December 14, 2018
Major backups on I-95 SB in Port St Lucie after deadly semi rollover. All lanes blocked between St. Lucie West Blvd. and Crosstown Pkwy. This is traffic being diverted onto St. Lucie West. @WPTV @wptvtraffic @Chopper5WPTV pic.twitter.com/iwCZqsRFcj
— Stephanie Susskind (@StephanieWPTV) December 14, 2018